Pixelation on MPEG4 Stations - Need Help

[BlueSnake]

Within the last few weeks I am starting to get sporadic pixelation on my mpeg4 channels. Right now I am specifically seeing it on 520 STRZHD on both boxes. It is not constant. It will be very watchable then I will see pixelation, the picture starts to break up, then it might be alright for a while, then starts again. I guess it has caught my attention mostly on recorded programs, but now I'm starting to see it on live programming.

I have 2 HR70-700 receivers. Slimline dish, 6x8 multi-switch. It is happening on both receivers, one in the bedroom and one in the living room.

My signal strengths on 103c are as follows: same on tuners 1 & 2

97, 96, 95, 95, 95, 95, 95, 95
95, 95, 95, 95, 95, 95
96, NA, NA, NA, NA, 96

Anyone have any suggestions? LNB? Multiswitch? Something else? :confused:

Edit: Software is the latest National Release on both.

[BlueSnake]

Anyone have any ideas?

By the way this is the first time I have ever had any problems whatsoever.

[Stuart Sweet]

If it's only on StarzHD, can you try the west coast feed and see if it's there?

[BlueSnake]

I haven't seen it on the west coast feed. But I also don't think this is the only channel that it happens on as I've seen it on recorded programming.

I've also seen it on 518 & 519

[K4SMX]

Since you're seeing it on both receivers and your signals are great (both tuners), the first and easiest test I would think would be to bypass your multi-switch with double-female "barrel" adapters to eliminate it as a possible problem. There have been a few instances of pixelation on 103(c) with good signals which were traced to the LNB having other problems.....

[BlueSnake]

I checked it out. It does appear to be a problem with the LNB. I have the protection plan, they are coming out on Friday.

[TomCat]

Pixellation only on MPEG-4 is a classic smoking-gun indication of a poor alignment of the antenna (which can still do the MPEG-2 channels). I would download the Slimline manual so that you can verify that the tech dithers properly when realigning yours.

But then your numbers don't seem so bad. Does the problem happen only when the wind blows? You may need to add monopoles.

They ONLY align to 110 and 119, but if done precisely and properly, the HD stations on 103 and 99 should fall in line. Have them verify your numbers on the OSD for 103 and 99 afterwards, and take digital snapshots of those pages as a baseline reading for the future. If you see a recurrence of the problem, note the weather, turn to the OSD and watch the numbers continually to see if they drop for a second or so.

[BlueSnake]

I have all the signal strength that's needed. No wind or bad weather when this is happening and already have the monopoles. It really does seem like it's a problem with the LNB. I really don't want a realignment as I have perfect signal strength on all birds even the new one. Most signals are 95 and above on all satellites.

We'll know Friday.